USPS Reports Consistent Performance Across All Mail Categories

The United States Postal Service reported new delivery performance metrics for the eleventh week of the fiscal fourth quarter. The data shows continued strong performance for First-Class Mail, Marketing Mail, and Periodicals. During the reporting period, the Postal Service averaged 2.5 days to deliver a mailpiece or package across the postal network. FY2022 fourth quarter service performance scores covering July 1 through Sept. 16 included: *First-Class Mail: 93.2 percent of First-Class Mail delivered on time against the USPS service standard, consistent with performance from the fiscal third quarter. *Marketing Mail: 94.6 percent of Marketing Mail delivered on time against the USPS service standard, consistent with performance from the fiscal third quarter. *Periodicals: 87.1 percent of Periodicals delivered on time against the USPS service standard, consistent with performance from the fiscal third quarter.

The Book Manufacturers’ Institute (BMI) released the May results for its monthly survey on capacity and lead times for soft cover and hard cover books. As demand has skyrocketed and supply chain woes continue to hamper all segments of manufacturing, BMI put together the survey to get a better idea of what manufacturers were facing and what publishers should expect. May is the third month of the survey. According to responses regarding hard cover books, the average manufacturer was running at 91% of their capacity, up from April’s 85%. The average lead time for completed hard cover books dropped to 91 days, down from 103 in April. For soft cover books, capacity usage went from 94% down to 92% and the average lead time went back to March’s 70 days, based on 15 responses. See more at: https://www.bmibook.com/news/bmi-releases-industry-barometer-survey-results-for-may

Dotdash Meredith is giving up a deal with the state of Iowa in which it was to receive tax incentives for hiring and keeping workers in Des Moines. The publishing company was to receive $460,000 in tax credits and refunds under the arrangement, in return for adding 41 employees by March 2021 for at least $29.12 per hour and retaining them through March 2023, according to the Des Moines Register. Dotdash Meredith informed the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) in an August 10 letter that it would close the tax-incentive contract. Dotdash Meredith, facing reduced ad spending, suffered a $28 million operating loss in Q2.